How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes

Oh my gosh, you have to try these air fryer donut holes – they’re my new obsession! I swear, the first time I made them, my kitchen smelled like a cozy little bakery. And the best part? They come together in under 20 minutes with just a handful of ingredients. No deep-frying mess, no yeast, no waiting around for dough to rise. Just fluffy, cinnamon-sugar coated bites of happiness. My kids now beg for them every weekend, and honestly? I don’t mind one bit because they’re that easy. Trust me, once you taste these warm, golden nuggets straight from the air fryer, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Donut Holes

Okay, let me gush for a second about why these little guys are life-changing:

• Crazy quick – From mixing bowl to your mouth in under 20 minutes (no yeast means no waiting!)
• Fewer dishes – Just one bowl and your air fryer – no messy deep fryer to clean
• Healthier – All that crispy goodness with way less oil than traditional frying
• Pantry staples – Flour, yogurt, baking powder… you probably have everything right now
• Perfect texture – Fluffy inside with that irresistible cinnamon-sugar crunch

Seriously, these check every box – easy enough for lazy Sundays but special enough for brunch guests!

For more air fryer breakfast treats, check out these Air Fryer French Toast Sticks or enjoy a fall twist with Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice Donuts.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Donut Holes

Here’s your shopping list for these magical little bites – simple but mighty important! Every ingredient plays a special role:

• 120 ml (1/2 cup) Greek yogurt – full-fat makes them extra tender (trust me, don’t skimp here!)
• 120 g (1 cup) plain flour – just regular all-purpose works perfectly
• ½ tsp baking powder – our little rising hero
• 60 g (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted – for that golden dip
• 75 g (⅓ cup) sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon – the iconic crunchy coating
• Oil for greasing – just a bit for your hands and air fryer basket

See? Told you it was simple! Now let’s make some magic happen.

Equipment You’ll Need

Gather these trusty tools – nothing fancy required:

• Air fryer – obviously the star of the show
• Mixing bowl – medium-sized works great
• Measuring cups/spoons – for perfect proportions
• Pastry brush (optional) – makes butter coating easier

That’s it! No special gadgets needed for these easy treats.

How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes

Alright, let’s get to the fun part! I promise these are foolproof – just follow these simple steps and you’ll be snacking on warm, cinnamony goodness in no time.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

First, grab your mixing bowl and dump in the Greek yogurt, flour, and baking powder. Now here’s the key – stir just until everything comes together into a shaggy dough. Don’t go crazy mixing! Overworking it makes tough donut holes, and we want them light and fluffy. The dough will be sticky – that’s perfect. Just set it aside while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Shape and Cook

Here’s my pro tip: grease your hands with a tiny bit of oil before handling the dough. Trust me, it’s a game-changer! Pinch off small pieces (about the size of a ping pong ball) and roll them between your palms. Place them in your greased air fryer basket, leaving some space between each one – they need room to breathe! Cook at 180°C/350°F for 8-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden and puffed up like little clouds.

Step 3: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

While they’re still warm (this is crucial!), dunk each donut hole in melted butter, then roll them in that heavenly cinnamon-sugar mix. The warmth helps the coating stick perfectly. I like to do this right in the air fryer basket – less mess! Serve immediately and watch them disappear. Warning: these are dangerously addictive when fresh!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Donut Holes

After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), here are my can’t-live-without tips:

• Full-fat yogurt is non-negotiable – It gives that dreamy, tender crumb
• Grease everything – Your hands, the basket – sticky dough needs love!
• Peek early – All air fryers run differently – check at 7 minutes
• Roll while warm – The cinnamon sugar sticks like magic
• Don’t crowd – Give those babies space to puff up properly

Follow these and you’ll get perfect donut holes every single time. Pinky promise!

Variations for Air Fryer Donut Holes

Oh, the fun we can have with these little gems! Once you’ve mastered the classic version, try these delicious twists:

• Vanilla sugar dreams – Swap cinnamon for vanilla sugar or add vanilla extract to the dough
• Chocolate lovers – Mix cocoa powder into the sugar coating or drizzle with melted chocolate
• Glazed goodness – Skip the cinnamon sugar and dip in powdered sugar glaze instead
• Gluten-free – Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (I’ve had great results with Bob’s Red Mill)
• Lemon zest sparkle – Add lemon zest to the dough and roll in powdered sugar

The possibilities are endless – make them your own!

Serving and Storing Air Fryer Donut Holes

These little guys are absolute magic fresh from the air fryer – serve them warm and watch them vanish! If (big IF) you have leftovers, pop them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. A quick 5-second zap in the microwave brings back that just-made warmth. But honestly? They rarely last that long in my house!

Nutritional Notes

Just a quick heads up – these numbers are estimates since ingredients can vary by brand. But for two donut holes, you’re looking at about 120 calories, 5g fat, and 16g carbs. Not bad for a sweet treat, right? The Greek yogurt adds a nice protein boost too! Remember, homemade means you control what goes in – way better than store-bought versions packed with preservatives.

Now go make these already and tell me how they turned out! Tag me with your creations – I live for seeing your kitchen wins!

Air Fryer Donut Holes FAQs

I get asked these questions ALL the time – here’s the scoop on our favorite air-fried treats:

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